The Best Budget Guitar of 2021? Harley Benton ST20 MN CA Unboxing, review and tone test

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  • Опубліковано 11 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 87

  • @tomknight1821
    @tomknight1821 3 роки тому +8

    I bought the same said guitar ... style and colour for my granddaughter 2 week ago and it was way above its actual cost with regards to quality ... I’m so impressed I’ve ordered the ST-62 Placid Lake and I have a Fender Squier 50’s classic vibe in fiesta red that says a lot for the HB Quality.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Yes its very good for the price. I have a couple of heavily modified Squiers and whilst the Squiers win on some points they lose on others. When you consider the guitar is 60% of the lower price Squier thays amazing. I gave a TE-20HH SBK which is even better and still under 100

  • @marythornton-reeves1155
    @marythornton-reeves1155 3 роки тому +6

    My brother bought me this very guitar and it arrived today! You are right it's a beautiful guitar and light enough for me now I have arthtritis. It means I can keep on playing! Thanks for the vid - nice one!

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      No problem and thanks for the kind words.

    • @ClassicAutoPrince
      @ClassicAutoPrince 3 роки тому

      I have the same problem, so what about the neck? How much comfortable is and how much thin is the neck?

  • @telboy1966manu
    @telboy1966manu 3 роки тому +5

    I've been toying with the idea of getting this exact guitar for a while now, particularly since I bought a Harley Benton acoustic just a few weeks ago and was very impressed by the build quality and sound. Your vid has made up my mind, it's a gorgeous guitar and it will be mine! Great vid, thank you

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Great. Interested to hear your experience

    • @scott9628
      @scott9628 3 роки тому

      Same here but I want the "rosewood" fret board thought. I have the HB SC 550 in tobacco burst it's amazing. They would make a good pair.

    • @telboy1966manu
      @telboy1966manu 3 роки тому

      @@scott9628 That's fair enough, my personal preference is for the maple fretboard, think it really brings out the candy apple red but each to their own!!

    • @telboy1966manu
      @telboy1966manu 2 роки тому

      Well my ST-20 arrived yesterday and I love it. The finish is flawless, not a blemish or a dent or a scratch anywhere. The maple neck looks fantastic contrasted against the candy apple red. The knobs, switches and tuners all work fine and are tight and shipshape. The only minor flaw I could find (and believe me I looked...hard!) was the frets were a little rough but nothing that a few minutes with some micromesh couldn't sort. But the guitar sounds lovely and is an utter pleasure to play. So glad I bought this 10/10 would recommend

  • @mark5150ty
    @mark5150ty 3 роки тому +10

    The extra holes in the rear cavity plate are so you can adjust the two screws of the tremolo claw without having to remove the backplate

    • @Nightingale1887
      @Nightingale1887 3 роки тому +2

      That part made me cringe a bit

    • @mark5150ty
      @mark5150ty 3 роки тому +1

      @@Nightingale1887 yeah anybody can have a UA-cam channel even when they don't know what the hell they're talkin about

    • @superrookie-1
      @superrookie-1 2 роки тому

      I never used those holes

  • @pietruyssinck
    @pietruyssinck 3 роки тому +4

    Thanks for the review. The holes in the backplate allow you to reach the two screws for adjusting the spring tension, without taking off the plate. That is what they are for.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +1

      Awesome. That makes much better sense. I was mystified the first time I across these and another viewers told me they were to present friction. Going forward I will explain them correctly. Thank you!

    • @tgdb4968
      @tgdb4968 3 роки тому

      Yep

    • @nicksonthevet
      @nicksonthevet 3 роки тому

      Genious

  • @Financetown
    @Financetown 3 роки тому +11

    I'm buying the Matt black one as my first guitar tomorrow!

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Excellent! If you have a little money spare take it to a tech or luthier for a set up and it will be good to go

    • @TheRusk123
      @TheRusk123 3 роки тому

      @Mart Jan Koops adjusting string height, intonation, polish fret ends, correct but etc.. giving your guitar to a luthier for a setup can make it feel like a more expensive guitar and make it more playable

  • @loriepainter1559
    @loriepainter1559 3 роки тому +1

    Amazing!! I’m about to order 3 guitars from them and this is one in white with the fender frontman. Even with shipping to the USA still excellent deal! Thank you so much for the review!

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      My pleasure. Hope you enjoy your guitars

  • @KarlSheridan
    @KarlSheridan 3 роки тому +6

    Nice one, a lot of Stratocaster for very little money. I like those ceramic pickups they’re nice and warm, not too bright & sound great overdriven. all round great demo/review well done 👍🏼

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Karl really appreciate it.

    • @stephenhookings1985
      @stephenhookings1985 3 роки тому +1

      And there are plenty of cheap and decent alnico pickups should anyone want to change them - Ironstone are decent IMHO in UK. I even have something like Vansone which were pretty darn good.
      Stick most pickups thru a multi FX pedal and you can sculpt much more tone.

    • @jorgetome7089
      @jorgetome7089 Рік тому +1

      i like the ceramic pickups on the ST20 also. for now i dont feel the need for an upgrade. i think it sounds more strat then my fender strat player mexican in position 2 and 4

    • @KarlSheridan
      @KarlSheridan Рік тому +1

      @@jorgetome7089 yeah I agree, I also own a players series start but find myself playing the ST20 a lot more as I love the sound of those ceramic pickups 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @KarlSheridan
      @KarlSheridan Рік тому

      @@jorgetome7089 ua-cam.com/video/uuzudicc6NQ/v-deo.html

  • @stephenhookings1985
    @stephenhookings1985 3 роки тому +2

    Excellent - this is the one I have on order. Normally I get SX SST57 but no one stocked the CAR with maple neck.
    I also have an EMG DG20 on order to trial fit - if it don't I'll put it in SX or Fender Strat.
    As you say I am interested in the colour- typically Harley Benton, SX or J & D can paint a body better than I can.
    Looks great. Thanks for the review.

  • @jodiewalshoflaherty9256
    @jodiewalshoflaherty9256 3 роки тому +3

    i ordered the bundle that thomann sell about a week ago and i’m still waiting for it to arrive🥺can’t wait till it comes so i can play my favorite music in an electric instead of an acoustic

  • @modscientist9793
    @modscientist9793 3 роки тому +1

    Very nice demo and review thank you Kev!!

  • @lubos1207
    @lubos1207 3 роки тому +3

    I never had an electric guitar, but I always wanted a classic Stratocaster (Hendrix, Gilmour, Clapton ...). Now I've started to think about it a bit and a lot of reviews (even yours) will convince me that this guitar is a great choice for me as a beginner. I don't even have any accessories (combo, case, strap ...), so I'm considering buying this guitar in the whole set that Thomann offers. When I find that I enjoy it, I may get a better one, but I think it's a good choice to start with. I'm just wondering if the SSS or SSH assembly ...Thanks for the review ...

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      My pleasure. Yes this is a great starter guitar...and wirh some work just just great guitar period. For hendrix and clapton I'd go SSS.

  • @nicksonthevet
    @nicksonthevet 3 роки тому +2

    Thanks for the review. Mine is on its way from Thomann to here, Tanzania East Africa.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +1

      Nice one. Hope you like it and that it arrives in good shape like my one.

    • @nicksonthevet
      @nicksonthevet 3 роки тому

      @@kevinboor3560 I am waiting

  • @marklowe7431
    @marklowe7431 Рік тому

    Great review/demo.

  • @gti1647
    @gti1647 3 роки тому +1

    Hi Kev nice review,I ordered one about a month ago which arrived with serious cracks in the back (shipping damage) ,sent it back Thomann sent me anothery...perfect though I do customize all my guitars starting with hooking up bottom tone control to bridge pu.Loosen springs on the back,change strings and reverse lock twist and you don't need new tuners if you don't dive-bomb. Pots I will change though cause they're cheap and will become nasty...Shadows all the way! Best wishes.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Thomann ate pretty good about returns I've found.

  • @guy_incognito
    @guy_incognito 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks! Really helpful review!

  • @klausscherbarth7862
    @klausscherbarth7862 3 роки тому +1

    Good testing and have the same opinion like you. i have also the les paul junior copy with dogear pu and the quality is much better the look and feel is like a onethousand buck guitar. i own also a HB Tele sparkling blue and i can it also recommend.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      I have the TE20 HH SBK and it's a go to guitar. Took me a lot longer to warm to my Gretsch

  • @stealthbum34
    @stealthbum34 2 роки тому +1

    I never get why people expect a guitar to be in tune out the box. It’s better to de tune them for shipping and transport.

  • @PeterErikson-rd5tj
    @PeterErikson-rd5tj Рік тому +1

    I think its lighter red than Fender. Candy Apple. but. it. has. a. Cool. metallic treatment.. Great bang for the buck. Cool Color -- I. would like that w/ a Roasted Maple neck and Rosewood. w/ Black. Pick guard. HSS

  • @azcharlie2009
    @azcharlie2009 3 роки тому +1

    I have one of these, and I don't even need to look at the video.... Not exactly the same. Mine was Blackie copy @ $118! It was as good or better than my MIJ Fender Strat which is almost 40 years old.

  • @Leo_ofRedKeep
    @Leo_ofRedKeep 3 роки тому +1

    Cheap Strat copies have the bridge decked hard just because its faster to do in the factory. It needs loosening.

  • @itsamemikeg
    @itsamemikeg 3 роки тому +2

    I wish shipping to the US wasn’t so much.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Yeah that's a shame. I find the same when ordering from the likes of GFS. But at least with Stewmac I can pay an annual subscription and get free shipping. Takes an age though to get here sometimes

  • @lebii_m
    @lebii_m 2 роки тому

    Update please? Im planning to buy it

  • @arvinbhowaneedin4369
    @arvinbhowaneedin4369 3 роки тому +1

    Background music is so nice

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks! Was mucking about with modulation pedals for that one

  • @matthewratcliffe1953
    @matthewratcliffe1953 3 роки тому +1

    Oh i thought it had a fairly thin neck? I had an st 62 but the neck was a bit chunky was hoping the st 20 was different.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Alas no. For me that's the only downside. The squier bullet neck is nice and thin though. And if you're after an HB and aren't top stick on strats the TE20 has a very comfortable modern D profile

    • @matthewratcliffe1953
      @matthewratcliffe1953 3 роки тому

      @@kevinboor3560 it was too late for me, i bit the bullet and thinned down the neck myself. Turned out surprisingly well 👍

  • @l.g.5899
    @l.g.5899 3 роки тому +1

    D'u think the David Gilmour model worth the extra money compared to this? Thanx in advance.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +1

      I havent tried it. If it had the 7 way mod and that's what you want I'd like to say yes

  • @MartinJG100
    @MartinJG100 3 роки тому +1

    How were you charged VAT on this? I ask because the rules changed in Jan 21. Thanks.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +1

      I live in Luxembourg so not sure same rules apply

    • @MartinJG100
      @MartinJG100 3 роки тому

      @@kevinboor3560 No, you are right. Thanks.

  • @guitarenoire
    @guitarenoire 3 роки тому +1

    Pas mal du tout.

  • @jodiewalshoflaherty9256
    @jodiewalshoflaherty9256 3 роки тому +1

    did yours take long to come?

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      No but I live right next to Germany...just a couple of days.

  • @candrabalimirage
    @candrabalimirage 2 роки тому

    LIke#263rd and Subscribed. Thanks 4 Ur Video! 😊👍

  • @michelecostantino2961
    @michelecostantino2961 Рік тому

    Cheap guitars usually go out of tune very quickly, but this one?

    • @williammolina9792
      @williammolina9792 Рік тому +1

      The bridge goes out of tune, just by looking at it...

  • @klausscherbarth7862
    @klausscherbarth7862 3 роки тому +1

    please dear testers let be the unboxing. it costs a lot of time and don´t make any sense. i know how carton looks like. i only want to see the quality of the instrument and is it so important that you can play the instrument out of the box? first it doesn´t matter if the instrument stays in tune after a long journey. for me its normal to do a lot of settings when i get such a product.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Thanks for your thoughts Klaus

    • @vioeuvio5477
      @vioeuvio5477 3 роки тому

      there are certain people who enjoy the unboxing too, like me ;d just skip it

  • @hwnfrd
    @hwnfrd 3 роки тому +1

    In 2020 I bought the same guitar in the same color only left handed and it is terrible. After seeing all these you tube channels reviewing and promoting these "bargain" guitars I thought I'd give it a try and it was a waste of money for me. The guitar I received had a crooked neck that couldn't be adjusted enough to keep the high "E" string from barely staying in the fretboard, the nut was horribly cut so way down that you couldn't set the action anything but super high to avoid fret buzz and truss rod adjustment was no help either. Last is just personal preference but the size of the neck is so big that you might as well use a 2" × 4" instead. I didn't return it because the shipping would cost about half of what the guitar cost. My advice is to stick with the major name brands and learn from my mistake.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому

      Wow. I had the same experience with a Kramer. I guess QC isn't perfect. But this one was a beaut. Alas I can only review what I receive

  • @ΟΟύτις
    @ΟΟύτις 3 роки тому +1

    Im not buying expensive instruments but Harley Benton are totally crap.
    Buy a Squier.

    • @kevinboor3560
      @kevinboor3560  3 роки тому +2

      I respect your opinion and a few years ago I would be right wirh you. But I've had 4 now and they were all good for for money. The ones I've tested recently have been significantly cheaper than the cheapest bullet and compared favorably. I'll order something in the affinity price range and get back to you on the channel at some point. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love Squiers

    • @benallmark9671
      @benallmark9671 3 роки тому +1

      I disagree, sure you get the odd one that’s shitty and set up like crap but honestly they’ve been stepping up lately and the majority of them are gems.

    • @AllenGoodman
      @AllenGoodman 3 роки тому

      I disagree as well. I just received a Harley Benton 35 plus a couple weeks ago, so impressed with it, I will be ordering another HB. Great workmanship, great sound, no trouble with ordering, shipping and received it in less than a week. For the money, I do not understand how anyone could go wrong with a Harley Benton.

    • @benallmark9671
      @benallmark9671 3 роки тому +1

      I disagree too , when was the last time you played a Harley Benton ?

    • @benallmark9671
      @benallmark9671 3 роки тому +1

      Sure the odd one’s shitty but that goes for any make guitar.